Commented Nuclear Blast A&R representative Jaap Wagemaker: “Already after we’d listened to their debut EP, ‘Improper Burial’, it became pretty obvious that HOLY GRAIL — offering a modern version of the old-school heavy metal we’ve grown up with — were the most exciting metal band to emerge from the county of L.A. within the last two decades, as renowned American Decibel magazine had put it.

“After Metal Hammer U.K. had nominated the band as ‘best new band’ at the Metal Hammer Awards even before they had even released their debut album, ‘Crisis In Utopia’, we knew we had to keep an eye on them. All over Europe, music magazines loved that record and celebrated it by publishing rave reviews. And ever since, we’ve seen them playing two awesome shows at Wacken Open Air and British Download festival, there was no doubt whatsoever that HOLY GRAIL were bringing the leather and steel to a new generation of metal heads. So watch out for HOLY GRAIL‘s second coming in 2013!!!”

Added the band: “We in the HOLY GRAIL camp are very proud and excited to announce that we have recently become part of the Nuclear Blast family. We feel honoured to join the ranks of metal legends and many of our favourite bands, including ACCEPT (who we’ve covered), BLIND GUARDIAN (who we’ve toured with) and TESTAMENT (who we’d love to tour with)! Fans of HOLY GRAIL can expect all the metallic elements we’ve built our name on taken to the next level on our forthcoming new record, Ride The Void’. Coupled with the unequivocal might of Nuclear Blast, European domination is inevitable for our new album. See ya on the road!”

Due in early 2013, “Ride The Void” will be released in North America via Prosthetic Records. The follow-up to 2010’s “Crisis In Utopia” was recorded with producer Matt Hyde (SLAYER, HATEBREED, CHILDREN OF BODOM) throughout the year, working around national tours with DRAGONFORCE and VALIENT THORR.

The official lyric video for “Dark Passenger”, a brand new song from HOLY GRAIL, can be seen below. The artwork for the single was designed by Sam Turner (3 INCHES OF BLOOD), who also did the art for the band’s 2011 holiday EP “Seasons Bleedings”. The seven-inch edition also includes an unreleased B-side, “Go Down Swinging”, which will not appear on “Ride The Void”.